Trike-a-Thon event raised money for St. Jude's

For the entire week of May 5 to 9, the Bastrop campus of MCIO Head Start hosted a St. Jude's Trike-a-Thon highlighting riding toy safety. On Thursday, the week reached a peak with an evening event emphasizing safe biking.

Representatives from the Bastrop Fire Department, MetLife and the Department of Health and Human Services stopped by MCIO along with Mickey Mouse .

Wilma Davenport, a Child Healthcare Consultant with DHH, spoke to the group about the importance of bicycle safety and wearing helmets and also presented a short video, "I"m Safe on Wheels," to the group to reinforce the concept of riding safety on any type of toy.

Children were then able to get an up-close look at a firetruck and ambulance and received stickers naming them junior firefighters.

As Trike-a-Thon participant Laniya Madison accepted her badge, she pledged to become a firefighter when she grew up and asked the members of the BFD if they would remember her in the future.

In addition to promoting careful pedaling, Trike-a-Thon helps raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by allowing the community to sponsor children in the event.

Inside the gymnasium at Head Start, younger participants zipped around the floor on tricycles and bicycles and enjoyed snacks. A special wall in the gym held a board featuring rainbow cards that honored individuals who have battled cancer.

Event organizers plan to send all donations received from the community to St. Jude's Memphis hospital by May 16.